Tsimane Lodge Bolivia

Tsimane Bolivia is and remains one of the greatest exotic fly fishing destinations in the world today. Over the years their programs have shifted around and moving forward, Tsimane will consist of three distinct week-long programs. The following is an overview of what to expect in the future as well as summary of the unique features of each. We hope that this will help prospective anglers better understand their options and help them in selecting the program that is right for them.

The Programs
Tsimane has three distinct operations, Pluma Lodge, Agua Negra Camp and Secure Camp, all located within a 25-mile radius in the headwaters of Bolivia's Secure watershed. The Secure watershed is one of the Amazon’s southernmost tributaries and its’ isolated population of large migratory dorado make it one of South America’s most unique fisheries. The hardest part of planning the trip is deciding which of the three options to select, as they are all highly desirable and productive. All trips begin with an overnight in Santa Cruz followed by a two-hour small aircraft charter flight to a remote jungle airstrip. They all have remarkably comfortable accommodations and gourmet meals, and the vast majority of the fishing is done while wading. Guests move about in large motorized dugouts or smaller traditional pole-pushed dugouts captained by skilled native boatmen and are guided by professional English speaking guides. Irrespective of the program, all trips into the heart of the Bolivian jungle are best suited to adventuresome travelers who enjoy wade fishing and a fair amount of walking.

Pluma Lodge
After landing at the Oromomo native airstrip, eight anglers will head up the Secure River by motorized super-dugout and then make a left turn up a tributary to the incredible Pluma Lodge. Pluma Lodge overlooks the Pluma River and has handsome double occupancy hardwood cabins as well as a main lodge where meals and cocktails are served. Pluma is considered the most deluxe and diverse of the Tsimane lodges. The lodge is strategically located in the middle of the Pluma River beneath the confluence of two world-class systems, the upper Pluma and the Itirizama. Both up and downstream of the lodge are miles of great water on the main stem Pluma. Additionally, beneath the confluence of the Pluma and Secure, anglers can access more than 30 km of the larger main stem Secure by motorized dugout. These lower beats offer the biggest water in the Tsimane program and fishing these sections is in some ways reminiscent of classic steelhead fishing. For hearty anglers, Pluma offers one or two-night backpacking-style trips on both the Upper Pluma and Itirizama. These overnights represent the ultimate jungle adventure and can offer unparalleled sight fishing for large dorado and pacu. In the case of the upper Itirizama, several hours of aggressive hiking and multiple river crossings are needed to reach the prime waters, making this the most arduous of the Tsimane offerings. With truly rough terrain, challenging wading and in many instances technical and rewarding sight fishing to large dorado, this represents the ultimate jungle adventure in one the most pristine and beautiful places imaginable. The upper Pluma is very similar but less physically demanding. Note that these overnights are optional with only a small percentage of guests taking advantage of them.

Agua Negra Camp
The four-person Agua Negra Camp is also accessed from the Oromomo native airstrip. From the airstrip, you travel roughly two hours up the Secure River by motorized super-dugout to reach the Agua Negra Camp, which sits on a high bluff overlooking the middle reach of the Secure River. The Camp has great views and often a refreshing breeze and it adjoins a small Yuracaré community of roughly 60 people who still live very simple lives based on hunting, gathering and fishing. This camp features a handsome hardwood lodge with an open bar, Wi-Fi and delicious meals paired with excellent Argentine wines. Guests stay in deluxe double occupancy safari tents complete with attached bathrooms, hot showers, bedding and ceiling fans.

The main fisheries are the Agua Negra and the main Secure. The Agua Negra is a relatively small river with easy wading and lots of woody debris/structure. It is mainly accessed by pole-pushed dugouts, with anglers often getting out the boat to walk around certain sections of river. The main Secure is a large system accessed by motorized dugouts. Here fishing from the boat is both common and productive. For adventuresome anglers, Agua Negra also offers one or two-night backpacking-style trips to the upper reaches of the system. These upper waters are the easiest to reach of Tsimane’s camping options.

Secure Camp
The six-person Secure Camp is the furthest upstream of the three camps and focuses on the uppermost reaches of the Secure River. It is accessed from an airstrip in the little village of Asunta, where it is common for many members of the community to come out and have a look at the new arrivals, their clean quick-dry clothing and their big bags of gear and tackle. From there it is about a 10-minute boat ride upstream to the deluxe six-person tent camp. The camp features a handsome hardwood lodge with an open bar, Wi-Fi and delicious meals paired with excellent Argentine wines. Guests stay in deluxe double occupancy safari tents complete with attached bathrooms, hot showers, bedding and ceiling fans. From this camp you fish the productive waters of the Secure above and below the camp. The water upstream of camp is rugged and incredibly scenic with mossy cliffs and deep green pools and is known to have the region’s best pacu fishing in addition to great dorado fishing. This upper beat is accessed by traditional pole-pushed dugouts. The water downstream is broader with more woody debris. It offers good wade fishing and good boat fishing for large dorado and is accessed by motorized dugouts. Like the other two camps, Secure also offers backpacking-style trips to the upper reaches of the system.

Secure Extension
If six days of fishing at Pluma or Agua Negra is not enough, add on four additional days of fishing at the Secure Camp. A great way to maximize your Bolivian fishing experience. Three guest minimum. Rate: $4950 per person

Headwaters Expedition
This is unique opportunity to hike and boat into the most remote upper reaches of the Secure River. Here, while camping near a falls called “Chorro” guests enjoy great fishing for large resident dorado. This is a unique mini expedition unlike any other. Four guest minimum. Rate: $4950 per person

Picking Your Program
Invariably the first question we are asked is which program is the best. The truth is that all are exceptional options but they differ somewhat from one another. The quality of the fishing, the guides and the food are essentially the same leaving the discussion to variables of terrain, accommodations, group size, water types, rates and the amount of time spent interfacing with the native inhabitants. The following bullet points will help prospective anglers better understand the nuanced differences between these three great camps.

Pluma Lodge
Capacity: 8 anglers
Rate: $7,600 plus $670 native fee per person for a 9 night/6 day package
The most deluxe lodge with attractive wooden cabins and spacious bathrooms
The greatest variety of water types and beats
Eight angler capacity for larger groups and more social interaction
Potential single or multiple day backpacking-style overnights on the upper Itirizama or upper Pluma rivers
The overnight options are the most adventuresome and physically challenging of the Tsimane offerings
Lots of access to slightly larger water

Agua Negra Camp
Capacity: 4 anglers
Rate: $5,800 plus $570 native fee per person for a 9 night/6 day package
Small and intimate with just four anglers per week
Comfortable double occupancy safari tents with flush toilets and showers
The smallest and most intimate waters with easy wading and large fish
Less physically demanding than the upper beats at Pluma or SecurePotential single or multiple day backpacking-style overnights on the upper Agua Negra
Easiest backpacking camp to reach
Great cultural interface with the adjoining small native Yuracaré community of Agua Negra

Secure Camp
Capacity: 6 anglers
Rate: $$5,800 plus $570 native fee per person for a 9 night/6 day package
Comfortable double occupancy safari tents with flush toilets and showers
Unique and interesting up-river beats with canyons and gorgeous jungle scenery
The best pacu fishing in Tsimane
Remarkable late season fishing for big dorado
Potential single or multiple backpacking-style overnights on the upper Secure
Great cultural interface upon arrival at the airstrip in Asunta

Tsimane Lodge Bolivia NEWS

Feb 1, 2020

Golden Dorado

Without question, golden dorado are one of the world’s greatest gamefish. With massive, powerful jaws, razor-sharp teeth, vicious predatory instincts and wild aerial displays, they represent one of the ultimate target species for the adventuresome fly angler. Were one to take the best elements of a tarpon, a steelhead and something nasty like a barracuda, […]

The Paths Less Traveled – 25 Destinations for the Intrepid Angler

Last week, the New York Times published an article that made the rounds here at Fly Water Travel’s office. The article, “52 Places to go in 2020,” described off-the-beaten path or lesser known locales across the globe that venturesome and committed travelers should keep on their radars for the coming year. The places that made […]

Trip Report – Agua Negra Camp, Bolivia by Rex Ishibashi

Our friends Rex and Ryo Ishibashi just returned from a trip to Agua Negra Camp in Bolivia and dropped us this trip report. Thanks Rex we really appreciate it! Just returned late Sunday from Bolivia. What a trip — truly life-changing! It may have turned this flats guy into a jungle dude…; ) First […]

2019 Cancellation Discounts – Brazil

Due to late cancelations, we have discounted rods at Pirarucu and Kenjam in Brazil. Kendjam, Brazil Here adventuresome anglers can interface with one of the most fortunate and unaffected native groups in the New World as they enjoy the finest light-tackle multi-species fishing experience available. From the comfort of a deluxe safari style camp, groups […]

SOLD-2 for 1 at Tsimane, Bolivia – All Proceeds to CalTrout

Due to a last minute cancellation, we have two spots available at Tsimane’s Secure Camp in Bolivia. In addition to being a great deal, 100% of your payment will help CalTrout fund projects that are helping California’s trout, salmon and steelhead to survive, and even thrive. Secure Camp, Bolivia The six person Secure Camp is […]

Remaining 2019 Availability – Boliva

Tsimane, Bolivia Tsimane has three distinct operations, Pluma Lodge, Agua Negra Camp and Secure Camp, all located within a 25-mile radius in the headwaters of Bolivia’s Secure watershed. The Secure watershed is one of the Amazon’s southernmost tributaries and its’ isolated population of large migratory dorado make it one of South America’s most unique fisheries. […]

CalTrout Bolivia Trip Raffle

Agua Negra Lodge, Bolivia Pack your bags and enter for your chance to win a fishing trip to Bolivia. For $100, you and a friend will be off on a seven-night, six-day fishing trip into the heart of the Bolivian wilderness. Dates: June 29 – July 6, 2019 Enter as many times as you like. […]

50% Off – Tsimane, Agua Negra Camp, Bolivia

Tsimane, Agua Negra Camp, Bolivia There is one spot available for August 25 – September 1, 2018 at 50% off. The Agua Negra Camp is a remote yet luxurious tent camp/lodge perched on a bluff overlooking the Secure River. Roughly 100 yards away is the small native village of Agua Negra, which makes this camp by […]

Expert Q&A – Tsimane’s Pluma Lodge, Bolivia

Pluma Lodge, Bolivia Pluma Lodge is Tsimane’s most deluxe offering and one of the great lodges of the world. Pluma caters to eight anglers per week, all of whom enjoy tasteful double-occupancy cabins with private baths, ample storage and ceiling fans. Much of Pluma’s water is characterized by beautiful, rocky, freestone terrain, making it rather […]

The Dorado: Tsimane Through the Eyes of April Vokey (Video)

Tsimane Lodges, Bolivia Fly Water Travel has had the pleasure of long-standing working relationships with both April Vokey and Untamed Angling’s Tsimane lodges. This video will take you through April Vokey’s introduction to one of the most unique trips in the world deep within the Bolivian jungle. We hope you will enjoy it. ﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿ […]

Golden Dorado Mania (Video) – Tsimane Lodge, Bolivia

Tsimane Lodge, Bolivia We’ve just received some incredible footage from our friends at Untamed Angling and Tsimane Lodge in Bolivia. If this doesn’t get you excited about chasing these rocket launchers then nothing will!

Trip Report – Tsimane’s Pluma Lodge with Silver Bow Fly Shop

Earlier in the summer we helped our good friends at Silver Bow Fly Shop put a group together at Tsimane’s Pluma Lodge. Below you will some trip leader Michael Visintainer’s great photos. All of us at Fly Water want to thank Mike for letting us help with the adventure and sharing his photos. First I […]

Tsimane 2017 Program Update

Tsimane Bolivia is and remains one of the greatest exotic fly fishing destinations in the world today. Over the years their programs have shifted around and moving forward into 2017, Tsimane will consist of three distinct week-long programs. The following is an overview of what to expect in the future as well as summary of […]

2016 Tsimane Lodge Brochure

Tsiname Lodge in Bolivia is the most Dynamic New Fishery of the Decade and we have just mailed everyone a copy of our 2016 Tsimane Lodge, Brochure. If you receive our catalog you will get this brochure in the next couple days. If you can’t wait for the mail you can click on the link […]

Destination Spotlight – Tsimane Lodge, Bolivia

Tsimane Lodge – Bolivia: In terms of the all around ultimate fly fishing adventure, Tsimane, more than most any other place, has it all. Located in a remote indigenous territory of Bolivia where the Andes meet the upper Amazon, the freestone rivers of the region are both familiar and foreign to the well traveled angler. […]

Tsimane Lodge Article

Tsimane Lodge, Bolivia – Adventure Angling’s El Dorado, By Ken Morrish A history and detailed description of one of the most unique and dynamic fishing adventures of this decade. Season: May – October Capacity: Pluma Lodge: 8 anglers Secure / Agua Negra: 4 anglers 2016 Rate: $7,600 + $670 of Indian Association fees and National […]

Castaway Films – Aguas Negras, Bolivia

From the creators of Devil’s Gold, Castaway Films brings a new short from their exploratory trip to Untamed Angling’s Aguas Negras camp, in the heart of the Bolivian jungle. Now sit back, relax and enjoy all of the HD, slow-mo goodness of this epic golden dorado action!

Tsimane Bolivia Update

Tsimane Bolivia Update The fishing operation we consider to be one of the most interesting in the world has faced some significant hurdles over the past couple of years. First the news that several anglers had contracted Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (a nasty little disease carried by infected female sandflies) sent a major shock wave through the […]

Tsimane Lodge Update

Tsimane regular Cary Pugh with a magnificent Golden Dorado When Ken returned home from Tsimane Lodge in Bolivia he wrote that his trip was “…the single most interesting and rewarding trip of my fishing career.” (read more from Ken) For those that know Ken Morrish and his fishing exploits, this is not a statement to […]

Tsimane Trip Report

Dear Fly Water Travel Team, As I unpack my bags from our trip to Bolivia, I can’t help but reflect on what an amazing experience we had and wanted to write a quick report. In short, we had one of the best journeys of our lives! The interaction with the local people, fantastic accommodations, great […]

Tsimane Lodge Spring 2011 Report

I have been incredibly fortunate to fish many of the world’s most exotic and productive fisheries. I have fished Kola’s finest Atlantic salmon rivers, Kamchatka’s best trout and steelhead systems, I have fished darn near everything in BC and Alaska, chased 250 pound tarpon in West Africa, enjoyed the Amazon, explored northern Australia and visited […]

Tsimane Lodge Report

This has been an incredible season for guests visiting Tsimane Lodge in Bolivia. Despite some extreme weather and water conditions the fishing has stayed strong throughout the season. We recently received this report from our good friend Felton Jenkins: “One of my top 2 or 3 trips, period! My last morning fished in some rain […]

Tsimane Report!

From Rodrigo Salles at Untamed Angling: “Tsimane Lodge has reached almost mid season facing new challenges but wonderful rewards. Low water, no rain, and one of the biggest droughts of last years in the National Park. Our guides have worked really hard to find the secret of these waters during these very technical weeks. Now […]

Tsimane Lodge Bolivia early season report

Brian, After a week or so to reflect on our trip to Tsimane Lodge I wanted to send you an email with a few pictures from our trip and again let you know what a great time my dad and I had. I think these pictures do a great job of summing up our trip […]